Christmas in Seville – What to See and Do
Discover Seville at Christmas – Lights, Markets & Traditions
If you’re planning a winter getaway, spending Christmas in Seville is a truly magical experience. The city glows with lights, music, and festive spirit from early December right through to January 6th, Three Kings’ Day.
By day, you can explore Seville’s famous landmarks and enjoy the festive decorations around the city, and by night, stroll through the Christmas markets or see the lights around the historic centre.
With mild winter weather, rich traditions and a relaxed Andalusian atmosphere, Seville is one of the most enchanting places in Europe to celebrate Christmas.
When is Christmas in Seville?
Although the city gets decorated from early December, the start of Christmas in Seville among locals is December 22nd, marked by the nationwide tradition of the Christmas Lottery (El Gordo). It’s a beloved event across Spain, with families and friends gathering to watch the live draw and celebrate any winnings.
The main festive dates that follow are Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), Christmas Day (Navidad), New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja), New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) and finally Epiphany or “Three Wise Men’s Day” (Día de Reyes).
Christmas Eve is a big family affair. People gather for a special dinner at home and often attend Midnight Mass afterwards. Christmas Day is also family-centred, usually involving another festive meal and sometimes the exchange of gifts.
New Year’s Eve in Seville is celebrated with parties and the famous twelve grapes at midnight tradition, believed to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Finally, Three Wise Men’s Day on January 6th is one of the most anticipated events, especially for children. This is when they receive their main Christmas gifts, said to be brought by the Three Wise Men. The night before, Seville hosts a spectacular parade featuring the Wise Men, floats, and music, one of the city’s most cherished holiday traditions.
| Date | Event/Day |
|---|---|
| December 22nd | Christmas Lottery (El Gordo) – unofficial start of Christmas |
| December 24th | Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) |
| December 25th | Christmas Day (Navidad) |
| December 31st | New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) |
| January 1st | New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo) |
| January 5th | Three Wise Men’s Eve |
| January 6th | Three Wise Men’s Day (Día de Reyes) |
What to Do in Seville at Christmas
Seville feels extra special at Christmas, with the city centre full of light, music and festive energy. During the day, you can visit the most famous Seville’s landmarks like the Seville Cathedral, the Royal Alcazar, or take a stroll around Plaza de España and Parque de María Luisa, which look even more beautiful under the winter sun.
If it’s your first time in the city, our 3-day itinerary for Seville is a easy way to plan your visit as it covers the must-see attractions but gives you enough flexibility to enjoy the festive atmosphere at your own pace.
In the evenings, you can wander through the Christmas markets, watch the Christmas lights switch on around Avenida de la Constitución, or take a Guadalquivir river cruise for a unique view of the illuminated skyline.
One of our favourite things to do at Christmas is to visit the Nativity scenes (belenes) displayed across the city, especially the one at the Town Hall in Plaza Nueva or the one at the El Corte Inglés department store. If you’re lucky, you may also catch a flamenco Christmas performance around the historic centre.
Seville Christmas Lights & Special Light Shows
Each winter, Seville’s historic centre glows with thousands of Christmas lights. Streets like Avenida de la Constitución, Calle Sierpes, and Plaza de San Francisco are beautifully illuminated. You’ll also find decorations all across the city, as most main shopping and neighbourhood streets (such as Calle Asunción in Los Remedios district) put up their own festive lights.
The lights are switched on every evening at 8:00 PM, so if you happen to be walking along one of these main avenues, you’ll get to enjoy that magical moment when the entire city lights up above you. Adding to the charm, Seville’s famous orange trees are also decorated with tiny lights, giving the streets a uniquely Andalusian glow you won’t find anywhere else.
Several Christmas trees are installed around Seville, with the largest and most central ones located in Plaza de San Francisco, Puerta de Jerez and Plaza de Cuba.
In recent years, the city has also hosted spectacular video mapping shows (large-scale 3D projections onto major landmarks in Seville). In 2024, the mapping, known as Navigalia, took place along the Guadalquivir River from December 20th to January 4th, while previous editions were held in Plaza de San Francisco.
Another highlight is Naturaleza Encendida, the Royal Alcázar Christmas Light Show, a magical night-time experience that transforms the palace gardens with music, projections, and illuminated pathways. Running from 30 October 2025 to 15 March 2026, it offers a unique way to experience Seville’s most famous monument after dark during the festive season.
Seville Christmas Markets
Christmas markets in Seville usually start appearing in early November, filling the streets with lights, crafts and the smell of sweet homemade treats. You’ll find everything from handmade decorations and gifts to traditional Spanish Christmas sweets like turrón and polvorones.
The most famous market is the Feria del Belén, located next to the Cathedral along Avenida de la Constitución. It’s entirely dedicated to nativity scenes (Belenes), selling handcrafted figures, miniature houses, stables, animals and all the tiny details needed to create your own Belén at home.
Feria del Belén – Christmas Market 2025
Dates: 8th November – 23rd December 2025
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:30AM – 2:00PM & 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Saturdays, Sundays & holidays: 11:00AM – 2:30PM & 4:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: Avenida de la Constitución, next to Seville Cathedral.
For a more varied experience, you can head to the Muelle de las Delicias Christmas Market, set up by the Guadalquivir river. This one combines craft stalls, local food, and family-friendly attractions, often including rides, games, and festive music, making it one of the best spots if you are planning to visit Seville with kids during the Festive Season.
Traditional Christmas Food in Seville
Food plays a big part in Christmas celebrations across Spain, and Andalusia is especially famous for its traditional Christmas sweets, which you’ll find almost everywhere from late November.
Some of the most typical ones are mantecados (crumbly shortbread biscuits flavoured with cinnamon and sometimes lemon zest) and polvorones (crumbly almond biscuits), turrón (Spanish nougat), and mazapán (marzipan). You’ll see them everywhere, from local supermarkets to small pastry shops in the city centre.
If you’d like to try some of the best ones, stop by Confitería La Campana, one of Seville’s oldest bakeries, or visit the stalls at the Muelle de las Delicias Christmas Market, where some vendors sell homemade sweets.
If you’re in Seville in January, you can’t miss the Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped, brioche-style cake decorated with candied fruits that represent crowns and jewels. Families enjoy it on Three Kings’ Day (January 6th), usually for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Where to Stay for Christmas in Seville
In our opinion, the historic centre is the best area to stay if you want to experience the full Christmas atmosphere in Seville. You’ll be just steps away from the Christmas lights and trees that decorate the city’s main squares and avenues, and within easy walking distance of Seville’s most famous landmarks to explore during the day.
The only downside is that hotels in this area tend to be more expensive during the holidays, as it’s the most popular time of year to visit. If you’re travelling on a budget, consider staying in nearby neighbourhoods such as Triana, Los Remedios or Nervión, all around a 30 minute walk or a short metro ride from the city centre.
Because demand is so high, many central hotels are fully booked weeks or even months before Christmas. Seville has expanded its hotel supply in recent years to keep pace with growing visitor numbers, but availability still goes fast – so we always recommend you book your hotel in Seville early to secure the best location and rates.
Useful Information for Visitors
Sightseeing during the Festive Season
Visiting Seville at Christmas is a great idea as the city combines a festive atmosphere with mild winter weather (average highs around 16 °C) and some of Spain’s most beautiful landmarks. It’s no surprise that Seville has earned international recognition in recent years, The Telegraph naming it The Greatest City in Europe in 2025.
Tip – Book Your Tickets Early
Since this is one of the most popular times to visit, it’s best to book your attraction tickets in advance, especially for Seville’s top landmarks. We recommend getting your
Seville Cathedral tickets
and
Royal Alcázar tickets
ahead of time, as both have limited daily entries and long queues during the holidays.
If you’re planning a longer stay, you can follow our 3-day Seville itinerary for a balanced mix of sightseeing and festive experiences.
Public Transport
Please note that public transport in Seville operates on a reduced schedule on December 24th and December 31st. Most buses finish their routes around 10:00PM, with some (although limited) night services running afterwards. Both the Seville Tram (MetroCentro) and metro make their last departure around 9:30PM.
On December 25th, bus and tram services start later than usual, from around 9:00 AM. The Seville Metro reopens at 7:30AM and runs until 11:00PM, following a bank holiday timetable.
On December 31st, metro service ends at around 9:30PM, then resumes at 1:00 AM on January 1st, running non-stop through the night and all of New Year’s Day until 11:00PM.
The Seville Airport Bus (EA line) also adjusts its timetable during the holidays so we recommend checking the official Tussam website if you are planning to use it.
Taxis in Seville and rideshares like Uber or Cabify can be in high demand during the holidays, so we recommend pre-booking or allowing extra time for your journey, especially if you are using them on New Year’s Eve after midnight.
Timings & Closures
In Spain, both Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st) are bank holidays, so most most museums and shops stay closed. However, cafés and restaurants in tourist areas are usually open, and outdoor landmarks like Plaza de España and María Luisa Park are still lovely to explore.
If you’d like to make the most of these quieter days, we recommend planning a day trip from Seville to nearby destinations such as Córdoba, Carmona or Itálica are great options for a relaxed outing and are easy to reach.
Christmas in Seville: Frequently Asked Questions
When does Christmas start in Seville?
The festive season in Seville officially begins on December 22nd with the Spanish Christmas Lottery, although the city gets decorated with lights and markets from early December. Christmas in Seville finishes on January 6th with the Three Wise Men’s Day.
Are there Christmas markets in Seville?
Yes, Seville has several Christmas markets worth visiting. The most famous is the Feria del Belén, next to the Cathedral on Avenida de la Constitución, open from November 5th to December 23rd, 2025. It’s dedicated to nativity scenes and handmade crafts. You’ll also find a smaller market at the Muelle de las Delicias area by the river.
Are shops and attractions open during Christmas in Seville?
Most shops and attractions in Seville are open throughout December, though hours may be shorter on Christmas Eve (December 24th). On Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st), expect many museums and shops to close as they are bank holidays in Spain.
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